Episode No. 10 of “The Ultimate Fighter: U.S. vs. U.K.” opens with the remaining eight fighters being paired up for the semifinals.

While opposing coaches Dan Henderson and Michale Bisping can’t agree on the lightweight matchups, and Team U.S.’s Cameron Dollar throws another wrinkle in the mix by saying he’d like to fight teammate Jason Dent.

UFC President Dana White is intrigued by the idea of teammates fighting, guaranteeing an all Team U.S. vs. Team U.K. finale. The coaches don’t feel the same, and White refuses to tip his hand until the final moment.

Henderson offers his boss a less than flattering gesture at the evening’s fight announcements as he senses a potential teammate vs. teammate semifinal. In the end, it’s not to be, and each fighter will face an opponent from the opposite team.

White sets the semifinals as follows:

Welterweight Semifinals

DaMarques Johnson vs. Nick Osipczak

Frank Lester vs. James Wilks

Lightweight Semifinals

Cameron Dollar vs. Andre Winner

Jason Dent vs. Ross Pearson

White says he made the decision based on the unmatched energy the cast has brought to “TUF 9,” and he commends Lester as being the only second-chance replacement fighter ever to win his bout.

Back at the house, the two teams celebrate the coming of the semifinals with a group barbecue.

During the evening, lightweight Richie Whitson walks in on everyone’s favorite Team U.S. welterweight Jason Pierce as he bellyaches about his squad to Team U.K.’s David Faulkner. As Pierce complains about his teammates’ behavior, Whitson questions why Pierce never stepped into the cage.

It’s the most fire we’ve seen out of Pierce all season, and he challenges Whitson to “jump weight” up to 170-pounds so he can smash his eyeballs. There’s some momentary tension, but things settle quickly.

The next morning, Whitson overhears Pierce sharing scouting information on American fighters with the British competitors. No one is happy to hear of the revelation. Henderson approaches Pierce about the report, but Pierce steadfastly denies that he shared any information.

In the next scene, Osipczak immediately shares that Pierce has delivered some valuable scouting reports on Johnson, his opponent in the season’s first semifinal.

After some training montages from both fighters, it’s time to detrmine the season’s first finalist.

DaMarques Johnson vs. Nick Osipczak

Referee Herb Dean gets the bout underway, and the two take turns landing single punches and a few low kicks. Less than a minute in, Johnson scores a takedown but is unable to keep his opponent on the floor.

Osipczak stands, but Johnson lands a few solid straight punches before narrowly missing a knee. The pair stands toe-to-toe, trading, though Johnson earns another takedown.

Osipczak looks for an armbar, but Johnson resists. Johnson looks to pass to mount, but Osipczak prevents the move. Johnson lands a few blows from the top, but Osipczak answers from the bottom. With less than a minute remaining, Johnson stands, and Osipczak follows.

Back on the feet, Osipczak comes alive, drilling Johnson with a right hand before throwing a barrage of 17 punches. Johnson misses with a counter haymaker, and Osipczak catches him again. Dean keeps a close eye on a battered Johnson, who immediately retaliates in a Griffin-vs.-Bonna-esque exchange as the round expires. It’s a rousing finish to a round Johnson wins, yet barely survives.

The excitement continues into the second, and Johnson scores the first salvo with a big knee. Osipczak shoots, but Johnson sprawls, and advances to side control. Osipczak regains guard in a scramble, and the Brit starts sneaking his leg up for a triangle.

Johnson passes back out to side control, then damages Osipczak with punches from the top. Dean calls for action, but Osipczak looks winded on his back. The Brit looks for a submission from bottom, but Johnson keeps him pinned to the floor.

Johnson passes to mount, then moves to the back when Osipczak rolls. The Brit simply hangs on as time expires, and Osipczak is very slow to rise. He gets a second win in the corner, and lives to answer the bell for round three.

Osipczak appears fatigued, but he battles in the pocket. Johnson starts to pick him apart with stiff punches that find their mark. A big flying knee scores for the American, but Osipczak gamely stays in the pocket. Johnson finally pushes him to the floor halfway through the round.

Johnson is methodical on the floor, but a few short elbows slam across his opponent’s face. Johnson moves to mount, then again to the back, but Osipczak pushes into top position on a scramble.

Johnson pulls guard, and with less than a minute remaining he looks content to stay there. Osipczak tries to finish strong, but the result of the slugfest is obvious.

White gives the fight his official approval, saying the end of the first round “is what fighting is all about.” Even Bisping tells Johnson it was a “hell of a fight.”

Johnson is excited, though the chunk of his toungue missing dampers his enthusiasm. Osipczak is disappointed with the first loss of his career.

Next week’s preview promises to showcase both lightweight semifinals.

WELTERWEIGHT SEMIFINAL

DaMarques Johnson def. Nick Osipczak via unanimous decision

Catch new episodes of “The Ultimate Fighter: U.S. vs. U.K.” every Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Spike TV. MMAjunkie.com will recap each episode of the reality series, and full series coverage can be found on “The Ultimate Fighter 9” page.

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